Funeral
by Arcade Fire
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 1057 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 969 out of 1057
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 1057
  3. Negative: 63 out of 1057

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  1. KyleB
    Nov 22, 2004
    10
    Oh. My. God. Best. Band. Ever.
  2. fadaadada
    Nov 20, 2004
    10
    it was amazing
  3. hernanc
    Nov 18, 2004
    9
    Es un CD , sencillamente SUBLIME , gracias Mario por habermelo hecho conocer ...
  4. TjasaM
    Nov 18, 2004
    10
    Best album of the year, hands down! Strikingly beautiful, emotional and electrifying. I haven't been impressed so much by a new band for a long time. You just have to love them :)
  5. frankiep
    Nov 17, 2004
    10
    finesse, captivating, unsettling, rewarding, settling, wonderful.
  6. EloiP
    Nov 12, 2004
    10
    I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say this album, and this band, is reminiscent of the best of E.L.O. Good stuff...
  7. noamamam
    Nov 10, 2004
    9
    sincere poignant and resonating
  8. MaxK
    Nov 8, 2004
    10
    Anyone that says this album is less than brilliant must be trying not to like it based on the hype. Best album of the year.
  9. JejeL
    Nov 8, 2004
    10
    The best album of the year!
  10. JasonD
    Nov 6, 2004
    10
    Incredible beyond belief. The Arcade Fire is a breath of fresh air that will take your breath away.
  11. wo
    Nov 4, 2004
    9
    First off this is a great album, I think one of the best this year. "spilly" better take that comment about Canada back too. We have great musicians here as well. Do I have to bring up splendid bands such as Godspeed You Black Emporer, Fly Pan Am, the Dears, Do Make Say Think, the Unicorns, Manitoba... to name a few... the list goes on... I could sit here all day going on about how great First off this is a great album, I think one of the best this year. "spilly" better take that comment about Canada back too. We have great musicians here as well. Do I have to bring up splendid bands such as Godspeed You Black Emporer, Fly Pan Am, the Dears, Do Make Say Think, the Unicorns, Manitoba... to name a few... the list goes on... I could sit here all day going on about how great Canadian bands are, and about how fucked up the recording industry in the States is... but i wont. Instead I would advise readers to check out this album, and really listen to it.… Expand
  12. JimmyD
    Nov 3, 2004
    10
    Best album of the year, no question. Extremely inspirational and emotional. Total success. No other 2004 album can match up.
  13. MHochwald
    Nov 2, 2004
    10
    I am keeping this album in my headphones and my headphones on my head just incase I have a near-death experience I can be pulled back to earth where Heaven truly exists thanks to the The Arcade Fire.
  14. micahg
    Oct 27, 2004
    6
    I recommend everyone buy their six song EP which is fantastic, brilliant, amazing. The songs are so great they overcome poor production, quite a feat. I think this accounts for my low opinion of the CD. It is a huge disappointment. The magic and energy of the EP is gone. I guess for most people this album is their introduction to the band, but for me it is their disappointing sophomore I recommend everyone buy their six song EP which is fantastic, brilliant, amazing. The songs are so great they overcome poor production, quite a feat. I think this accounts for my low opinion of the CD. It is a huge disappointment. The magic and energy of the EP is gone. I guess for most people this album is their introduction to the band, but for me it is their disappointing sophomore release. I like the first song a lot but I think the rest is quite weak and frankly a few songs are unlistenable. If I had only heard this album I would think this was just another hype band but they also have a great live show. But this album is unlikely to break with large audiences with this album.… Expand
  15. WalterW
    Oct 23, 2004
    10
    Best album of the decade so far.... Or tied with The Moon and Antarctica - Modest Mouse, anyway.
  16. spilly
    Oct 21, 2004
    5
    Not a big fan of this sound and honestly don't know what the fuss is about. It's all over the place, crammed with random instruments and basically sounds like somewhat melodic, anthemic noise. Some songs are decent, but nothing ground breaking. I think they might be better live. They are easily compared to broken social scene which I also thought were way over hyped. They did Not a big fan of this sound and honestly don't know what the fuss is about. It's all over the place, crammed with random instruments and basically sounds like somewhat melodic, anthemic noise. Some songs are decent, but nothing ground breaking. I think they might be better live. They are easily compared to broken social scene which I also thought were way over hyped. They did have a decent live show, but I was absolutely wasted at the time, so any group of hippies playing any assortment of instruments would have sounded alright. If I had to choose to listen to this style of music I would listen to brss. If this is the best Canada can come up with than I guess I was right about them all along ; )… Expand
  17. StoP
    Oct 21, 2004
    10
    The Arcade Fire have an eclectic sound that is familiar yet fresh. Funeral is exactly what it's supposed to be, 10 tracks of pure entertainment! Hit after hit after hit.
  18. Pol
    Oct 19, 2004
    7
    it is important to understand that music should not be judged on the intention, but on the results. the arcade fire aim for all things massive in scope, lyrically and musically. having a band of ten plus members of course ensures that the music will be "big." unfortunately the band undercut themselves with completely played out "dance" beats and a certain lack of originality that tends to it is important to understand that music should not be judged on the intention, but on the results. the arcade fire aim for all things massive in scope, lyrically and musically. having a band of ten plus members of course ensures that the music will be "big." unfortunately the band undercut themselves with completely played out "dance" beats and a certain lack of originality that tends to make them sound like modest mouse with 15 members. some very good songs in the mix but not the miracle it has been hailed as.… Expand
  19. AndrewL
    Oct 17, 2004
    10
    I was an instant fan. I think this is the very best of the Canadian music I have heard so far this year....Maybe the best I've heard from a band this year, period, regardless of nationality. I'm just counting the days until this band explodes onto the national scene. They certainly deserve to be there, if they play their cards right. It's only been 24 hours since I heard I was an instant fan. I think this is the very best of the Canadian music I have heard so far this year....Maybe the best I've heard from a band this year, period, regardless of nationality. I'm just counting the days until this band explodes onto the national scene. They certainly deserve to be there, if they play their cards right. It's only been 24 hours since I heard this band for the first time, and I can't stop talking about them.… Expand
  20. AndrewB
    Oct 16, 2004
    10
    This really does top off the year. It's been on repeat for a while now. Just do yourself a favour and buy it. This is one of those times when the hype isn't unwarranted. I've heard that these guys are amazing live, although I haven't had the privilege of seeing them on stage.
  21. SimonM
    Oct 11, 2004
    10
    Absolutely packed with some of the most uplifting, beautiful, life-affirming music I've heard. Not only is every track an asbolute gem but the album is greater than the sum its parts which, I think, is the sign of a truly great album. I have given it a 10 but I don't do this lightly, this is (unfortunately) as close to a perfect album as I'm ever likely to hear.
  22. SimonM
    Oct 10, 2004
    10
    Absolutely packed with some of the most uplifting, beautiful, life-affirming music I've heard. Not only is every track an asbolute gem but the album is greater than the sum its parts which, I think, is the sign of a truly great album. I have given it a 10 but I don't do this lightly, this is (unfortunately) as close to a perfect album as I'm ever likely to hear.
  23. MarkB
    Oct 10, 2004
    10
    I saw Arcade Fire perform on stage in Guelph. I must say; their performance was great, when they played Wake Up, the entire floor started to move and groove with the rythym. The song just sounded amazing live. I experienced hearing loss for a day, but I didn't mind!
  24. BrianJ
    Oct 7, 2004
    10
    Some people will no doubt be turned off by all the press and acclaim this album is getting. Forget about the hype that this album is getting, this is really a wonderful record. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
  25. AramisG
    Oct 4, 2004
    10
    So many of these new bands can't seem to manage putting out a totally good album. I can name the bands that have on one hand. The Arcade Fire would be my pinky then. They are a band that is totally open to everyone, without fashion constraints (and hopefully indie snob constraints too). Either Funeral or Antics (Interpol) is the best album of the year thus far. I like them both so I So many of these new bands can't seem to manage putting out a totally good album. I can name the bands that have on one hand. The Arcade Fire would be my pinky then. They are a band that is totally open to everyone, without fashion constraints (and hopefully indie snob constraints too). Either Funeral or Antics (Interpol) is the best album of the year thus far. I like them both so I will let someone else decide. Hopefully they sound this good in concert and continue to sound this good on their next album. I'll be there. … Expand
  26. andrewr
    Oct 4, 2004
    10
    This record is going to endure. There's more here than a just a collection of amazing songs amazingly executed. You'd be hard pressed to find many other bands producing such mature lyrics at such an early stage. The art is phenomenal. Never a dull moment. Not just a great debut, but probably one of the best records of the past 5 years.
  27. Mbaids
    Oct 4, 2004
    10
    If you don't get it by buying or downloading it, I feel sorry for you. If you don't get it once you have it, I feel even worse. Outstanding.
  28. maxv
    Oct 3, 2004
    10
    one of the best albums of the past few years. period.
  29. RayC
    Sep 28, 2004
    7
    yeah ok
  30. S.Gray
    Sep 28, 2004
    5
    Most of the tunes drudge along, hinting at some great melodic swing without ever acheiving anything to make a track truly shine, with the exception of 'wake up' and 'in the back seat'. It tries to be inspirational but falls flat too often.
  31. JeremyB
    Sep 27, 2004
    9
    Win & Régine knocked one out of the park with this magnum opus. For a relatively new band, it is both commendable & heartening to see such a high level of songwriting ability. Broad as a continent, this disc has enough hits to choke a Billboard Chart, if there is any justice in the music business... The only downside is that now we have to wait impatiently for the sophomore release!
  32. B.Cool
    Sep 27, 2004
    5
    weirdos, great and awful all at once
  33. JayN
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    Real emo
  34. ebokw
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    cements 2004 as one of the best music years since the late 80s/early 90s
  35. LawrenceP
    Sep 26, 2004
    10
    The best LP of the year is also the most exciting.
  36. BillH
    Sep 24, 2004
    10
    Good god. It's just overwhelming.
  37. du&sku
    Sep 24, 2004
    8
    Very, very good; it doesn't quite have the revolutionary feeling of Interpol's Turn on the Bright Lights, and isn't as subtly affecting as Broken Social Scene's You Forget It In People. However, musically it lends a quiet soul to the formula that hasn't really been heard before, which certainly sets them apart from the rest of the groups out there. Lyrically, it Very, very good; it doesn't quite have the revolutionary feeling of Interpol's Turn on the Bright Lights, and isn't as subtly affecting as Broken Social Scene's You Forget It In People. However, musically it lends a quiet soul to the formula that hasn't really been heard before, which certainly sets them apart from the rest of the groups out there. Lyrically, it tends to get awfully silly, with too many eyelid, vampire, and dying in the snow metaphors, though that isn't really a weakness. The bigger problem is that it hasn't been quite a grower; its first listen was far and away the best. Still, though, it makes the perfect christmas present of a record.… Expand
  38. Greg
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    Crown this the best of 2004
  39. ThadeusS
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    You will simply not find a more emotional current release out there.
  40. damonm
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    I haven't had my ass kicked this hard by an album on initial listen for a long time. This thing sings with rawness, purity and sincerity that is actually pretty damn moving to hear. Not to mention the uncliched, unrestrained emotion that graces every song. Each track is beautiful.. there are no duds at all. This is an album to love from beginning to end. My favourite of the year so far.
  41. Andy
    Sep 21, 2004
    10
    fantastic
  42. StevetheDude
    Sep 20, 2004
    10
    simply the best CD you can buy this year
  43. JeromeH
    Sep 20, 2004
    9
    I really hate hype, especially when I come across it on a site like this. I'd never heard of the band, but just heard so many wonderful things all at once, so I decided to check it out. It really is an amazing album. Definitely in my top 20 of the year (I listen to over 1000 albums a year, so that does mean something). My advice is just to do what I did: go out and listen to this thing.
  44. EdwardT
    Sep 20, 2004
    10
    its a ten hands down
  45. Danny
    Sep 20, 2004
    10
    I've had it about a week, and it's just about all that I've listened to. It's the type of album you force on your friends. And you can't really say anything except "good", and you don't have to.
  46. andy
    Sep 19, 2004
    10
    holy sh** this is good!
  47. RyanM
    Sep 19, 2004
    10
    Much like Neutral Milk Hotel's "Aeroplane Over The Sea", this cd almost brought me to tears. I haven't heard anything quite like this for as long as I can remember. Take the vocals of "yours truely" Connor Oberst, orchestra feel of Godspeed Your Black Emperor, add a touch of the Polyphonic Spree and you have the ingredients of The Arcade Fire. This is the album of the year, Much like Neutral Milk Hotel's "Aeroplane Over The Sea", this cd almost brought me to tears. I haven't heard anything quite like this for as long as I can remember. Take the vocals of "yours truely" Connor Oberst, orchestra feel of Godspeed Your Black Emperor, add a touch of the Polyphonic Spree and you have the ingredients of The Arcade Fire. This is the album of the year, ahead of The Fiery Furnaces, Franz Ferdinand and !!!... it is that good.… Expand
  48. JonathanV
    Sep 19, 2004
    10
    Simply and completely wonderful. So explosive, gritty, enchanting and human. Its been sitting in my cd player on repeat for a couple days now.
  49. BrendanPowers
    Sep 18, 2004
    10
    Best Album of the Year by far
  50. TimD
    Sep 18, 2004
    10
    A fantastic album begining to end. Great for emo kids and pretentious indie folk alike. Plus if yr. a Kate Bush fan you'll be hard pressed to find a more apealing album this year. Ta Da! The Best Indie rock album The Wrens "Meadowlands."
  51. TerrenceO
    Sep 18, 2004
    9
    easily makes the top 5 of the year so far...
  52. DCohen
    Sep 17, 2004
    9
    Brilliant. Fucking brilliant
  53. IanR
    Sep 17, 2004
    9
    darn good. you should probably get this cd. if you're wondering what it sounds like, i don't know. i guess at times some of the stuff reminds me of bright eyes (mainly the instrumentation and artwork), and a bunch of people are probably gonna yell at me for saying that. but i don't even like bright eyes, this is just sort of... in that vein i suppose. it's really darn good. you should probably get this cd. if you're wondering what it sounds like, i don't know. i guess at times some of the stuff reminds me of bright eyes (mainly the instrumentation and artwork), and a bunch of people are probably gonna yell at me for saying that. but i don't even like bright eyes, this is just sort of... in that vein i suppose. it's really sincere and honest, and, yes, emotional (i don't know why, but so many people automatically get scared away by the "emo" label... that stuff can still be good. i guess if you wanted to call this "emo," it would be the best emo ever). there's a lot of folky elements on this cd, but all that is mixed in with some very danceable beats and some rock n' roll guitarwork. it's just a really beautiful album with awesome orchestration and rock and vocals and all that. so yeah, definitely get it.… Expand
  54. DevinB
    Sep 17, 2004
    10
    Stunningly diverse, passionate, and well-formed debut album. This was released less than a week ago, and has already won its place as my favorite album of the year thus far.
  55. SeanK
    Sep 17, 2004
    9
    I highly recommend this album. It's like a mix between Broken Social Scene and the Talking Heads. Extemely powerful songs that are highly listenable.
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 2004
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2004
3
#3 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Almost Cool
    83
    If I were to have just heard the first half of the disc, I probably would have proclaimed it the best of the year as well.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    97
    So long as we're unable or unwilling to fully recognize the healing aspect of embracing honest emotion in popular music, we will always approach the sincerity of an album like Funeral from a clinical distance. Still, that it's so easy to embrace this album's operatic proclamation of love and redemption speaks to the scope of The Arcade Fire's vision.
    Read full review
  3. Dusted Magazine
    60
    Marred by indie-rock clichés and occasional over-effort, it remains frustrating.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »